by Craig Richardson, E&E Legal President As Appearing in The Daily Caller

It used to be that responsible liberal politicians made at least a token effort to distance themselves from extremist environmentalists and their efforts to shutter America’s energy industry manufacturing jobs. But these times definitely have changed and fringe “green” activists funded by deep, even foreign pockets are now apparently calling the shots within the political left.

New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, noted for trips to the gym in the back of an SUV, recently signaled his willingness to be guided by the ultra-left, filing suit against five major oil and natural gas companies. Obviously, success would leave all major energy interests and many others next on the hook. Hizzoner is demanding that companies pay billions of dollars, alleging American energy companies are responsible for global climate change – even the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.